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We blame the industry for this… It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday, we could coast through the weekend. There was little need to check in for updates – things were pretty much done. But clearly all that’s changed.
So here’s some of what’s happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourselves.
Budweiser Puts Its Clydesdales “Out to Pasture” (St Louis, MO) – Serious craft beer was everywhere this Thanksgiving – to a far greater degree than we’ve ever seen before. It’s becoming a part of America’s traditions – and that’s bad news for Anheuser-Busch who have acknowledged that an amazing 44% of young people (ages 21-27) have never tried Budweiser. In an effort to capture this “lost generation,” according to the Wall Street Journal, the company is shedding its heritage marketing approach (and that includes its beloved horses) in favor of a more young-end appeal.
Ninkasi Goes Hollywood (Eugene, OR) – Well they’ve hired a guy who used to work in Hollywood – so that counts right? Ninkasi Brewing Company recently announced the hire of Jon Rogers to lead the brewery’s marketing department as chief marketing officer. Rogers has worked with well-known entertainment companies like Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company, where he managed programs in global marketing, strategy, and franchise management. No word on whether Ninkasi’s employees will now be required to carry light-sabers while working or if wearing Mickey Mouse ears at marketing meetings is now mandatory.
The ACB Holiday Guide Returns This Week! (Washington, DC) – With Thanksgiving and Black Friday now only a distant memory, the holiday shopping season is officially on. ACB loves this time of year, but we understand that getting the perfect gift for that craft beer lover of yours is not always easy – and we’re here to help. Starting this Thursday (and running every Thursday for the next three weeks), we will be publishing our uber-popular Holiday Gift Guides to help you out. Navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of gift-giving at this time of year can be brutal – so be sure to check out our weekly gift guides!
New Push for On-Site Brewery Sales in Alabama (Montgomery, AL) – Every state in the union has a three-tier distribution system, but only Alabama and Georgia deny brewers the opportunity to sell their products to consumers at their breweries for off-premise consumption. AL.com is reporting that the Alabama Brewers Guild feels the existing laws are holding that state’s industry back, and are backing a new law that was introduced in March that would allow the state’s small breweries to sell directly to their fans. We’ll be watching this story closely.
Cascade Making Moves (Portland, OR) – Cascade Brewing has promoted Kevin Martin to lead blender and we’re happy for him. Martin’s been with the brewery since early 2012 and has served as cellarmaster for the past two years – so clearly he hasn’t blown things so far. In his new role, he will oversee putting the brewery’s signature sour blends together and stewarding the live barrels in the brewery’s Tap It Tuesday program.
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